Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Ok. So I never order final sale unless I've tried on that exact style, in the exact size, in the exact color. But somehow something came over me the other day. I've been wanting to pick up a little summer linen sweater because I usually love them at J Crew but they sold out of my store before I even got to try them on. Then I kept on meaning to order one when it popped back online before final sale, but it never popped back in "my size". So the other day - there it is - and I order it, fool that I am, and pray it fits.

Please ignore the center pose, I don't know what's wrong with me sometimes :) I think I'm trying to show that it is slightly oversized but in an absolutely perfect, laid back, summer way. This is one size down from my normal size. The length is perfect and I love the nice open boatneck. The sleeves are not full length. It is lovely and great for hiding BBQ belly.

A close up of the fabric and a more accurate depiction of the color. Definitely a frost blue and not too gray. Yummy.

Uh-Oh. Love these. Perfect length, nice thick cotton, very stretchy but don't seem like they'll have butt bag by the end of the day. Love the deep dark grey. TTS. I'm not sure what to say except I always wait for a sale but I'm not sure I'll be able to with these! They are just a lovely slim chino - much like the Trouper of yesterday and much better than the skinny utility pant which I did not like at all.

With heels I think they look even better. Chic. I want.

Here's my other love about them - 2 buttons and tab closures! YAY! No random top opening. AND... a nice thick waistband for holding in the aforementioned BBQ belly.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

This has certainly been the year of Liberty at J Crew. I am in love with so many of their liberty patterns! The June's Meadow was so wearable, the Tresco Floral was so fun and in your face and the Floral Eve was so classic. Now comes Strawberry Thief! What to do...

Sorry my pics are so dark. I have to figure out a new place to take them. This shirt is lovely. It is darker so I don't think you notice the intricacy of the pattern from far away as much. IRL it is brighter. The closeups of the pattern are much more accurate. I love the bright pink and turquoise in the shirt. The fit is pretty standard fare and I don't really mind it being a popover. Works well tucked in. I AM IN LOVE with this print. Just so charming and beautiful. Le sigh. Will it make it to sale?

Painter Tee in Colorblock (size S)

This isn't even showing up on the website anymore. So weird. It recently got marked down to $24.99. I ordered it at full price (as a popback - this thing keeps selling out!) the day before some major markdowns and then just thought I would inquire as to whether or not it had also been marked down and it had! $24.99 + 40% off is quite deal considering I would have paid full price. I sized up on this one and almost would have gone up 2 sizes for a little more casual slouch.

So here's my favor. I love these Madewell Sungarden jeans but I can't decide which pair to keep. First off, I've gained a few pounds this summer (oops summer pizza, pasta and drinks :) so both are a wee bit tight. But, I can't seem to decide which pattern placement is more flattering. I initially thought the pair on the right looked better because there are more areas of dark (which I thought would be slimming). But then I thought the darkness across the thighs looked better on the left pair. Anyway - I can't decide. Can you help? Am I being insane thinking that the pattern is more flattering on one than the other?

40% continues... I'm hoping to shut off my inner shopper alarm and not check the sale in the early morning!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

I love Madewell. Love it. They're sort of like J Crew's cooler, slouchier cousin. Usually they do not have as good sales as J Crew but I hit the jackpot the other day with 40% off in store. Bought some things I've been eyeing forever (hello Sungarden jeans and Skinny Skinny jeans) for rockbottom prices.

Since I'm not falling in love with a lot of their fall offerings, I feel a little less guilty snapping up some of their summer items which I did really like. Here's what I found:

I've never really considered linen tees before until the 8,000 degree continuous weather. This one is lovely. I preferred the fit in the XS only because it nipped in at the waist a bit and the v was a little less low. In general, I find the v-necks at Madewell are cut very low.

Who doesn't love a little white shirt? This one is standard fare and probably a bit more casual than the JC White Boyshirt that I own from a year or two ago. Madewell's boyshirts are sometimes a little snug for my across the chest and a little too loose through the waist. I think this one is pretty cute but not a must have.

I think this is such a cute idea! I love the little peekaboo back - you can still wear a bra! The XS felt tight for this style of dress - pretty snug in the hips - which I was surprised by. I think it needs a belt but I'm not sure how to belt a backless dress. Definitely needs a little sass-ing up.

I wasn't loving the other items that came in this pattern but I adore the sweater. The way you can barely detect the pattern there is really fun. The fit is definitely a little oversized but I like that. This was on sale for $44.99 + 40% off (+15% if you are an educator/student) while still full price online. Very lightweight, perfect for summer layering.

I love Madewell's silk boyshirts. Roll tab sleeves, fittted through waist, nice length. This particular color has been hanging out in the sale section for quite some time. I believe it was $59.99. It is a bit transparent but the color is very sweet.

This is on sale online and still full price in store. I sort of love it but can't tell if it feels the same. It was a bit snug through the chest because of the twisted back but the skirt portion felt great. I think it's awesome that I could wear a bra with this one as well (if I pinned it). Felt very nipped in at the waist and the back detail is just so playful. Can't tell if a) it's flattering or b) if it's too young. I think the pics look fine but I remember thinking if made me look uber-busty in store. Hmm...

Hard to see the details in these photos but the bow on the back is charming. I really like the split back as well. Neckline is a bit high for my taste but I understand that it balances the back a bit. Has a bit of a swing shape.

The color was too loud and the fit a little overly sloppy. I've had size XS fit differently in different boyshirts. Sometimes I think they get mislabeled. I have one like this in a red and black plaid that I adore.

I also picked up some cute Keds in the Sungarden print for about $20. Love them!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Bargains galore. I can't even believe how much things are going for at J Crew these days. I bought a few things when the 40% off started and they are already greatly reduced again! I'm trying to choose carefully but it's hard when you can get a nice little linen tee for about $10. Anyway, here are some things I saw on my latest trip to the Crew.

It has been soooo hot these past couple weeks that the idea of a linen tee is highly appealing. I like the muted colors and the looser fit. It looks fine in the photo but I definitely felt like I needed the XXS. Unfortunately, because of the insane 40% off and low prices, there weren't any left. I definitely recommend sizing down on this one. Nice neckline.

This also cute but I don't love the placement of the graphic. I feel like it comes too close to the neckline. Also maybe for a slightly younger person? Still, if it had been in my size I probably would have gotten in since I'm so desperate to wear clothing that is as breathable as possible :)

Okay. This was my deal of the century. First off this sweater is lovely and you can pretty much do any size you want because the overall effect is supposed to be oversized. The navy was on sale for $79.99 and is still full price online!!!! I actually ordered an XS over the red phone and somehow got it for $36. Don't even ask.

I thought I would want to size down on this one but the XXS was too tight in the arms and too short. I liked the slouchier feel of the XS. I almost considered sizing up to a small for even more slouch. I've tried these pants on before and keep on coming back to them. There's something sophisticated about them. I saw an older lady wearing them at the MFA with a lovely silk top and she looked like a million bucks. I have to try to resist any more printed jeans though.

Usual fare for J Crew button downs. It's very cute but the color was a bit too pink cutesy for me. I also don't do short sleeved button downs because I just don't feel like they a) get enough use in the summer and b) look that good on me. Make me feel a bit nerdy. Where's my pocket protector? This is just my own personal hangup mind you.

I was surprised to like this as much as I did. The print is great with a tan (which I sorely lack). I can't do racerbacks because apparently no one feels like making them for the more healthily endowed. Alas, the shape is flattering to the ol' shoulders but I can't tolerate bra straps that are hanging out.

These are apropos of nothing except that they are freaking adorable and of course I had to buy a pair for my daughter. For $9.99 - 40%, I think that's a pretty good deal.

Oh please, 40% I love you but I need you to go away. At least I'm able to stock up on some good summer stuff. Now I'm saving my pennies for the beautiful new Liberty Popover in Strawberry Thief Floral. Yum.

About Me

Hi! I am a part-time teacher, part-time stay at home mom to my beautiful 2 year old daughter. My favorite stores are J Crew, Boden and Anthropologie. For reference I am usually a 2/XS in J Crew styles and 5'4''/125 lbs.